The European Union and democracy promotion in Africa: The case of Ghana

This article contrasts European Union (EU) democracy promotion policy in Africa with the reality of its implementation in Ghana. The rhetorical vigour of EU democracy promotion policy is outlined initially, followed by an investigation into EU democracy and governance assistance in Ghana, inclusive of European Community and member states' support. It is found that the policy is high on rhetoric but remains low on delivery. It is argued that if policy performance is poor in Ghana, a favourable political environment, then it is unlikely to be better elsewhere in Africa. Three explanatory propositions of the rhetoric-reality gap are outlined, one bureaucratic, one political and one economic, and then applied to the Ghana case. Conclusions are two-fold. First, the EU's political activities in Africa are driven more by its self-interests than by the norms and principles of democratic governance. Second, democracy is narrowly conceived by the EU, being more concerned with limiting state power than extending popular control, consistent with hegemonic neo-liberalism. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.